4.20.2006
US-NZ Forum Not Expected to Provide Trade Talks Breakthrough (NZHerald.co.nz)
20.04.06 1.00pm
A United States-New Zealand partnership forum beginning in Washington tomorrow is not expected to provide a breakthrough and spark trade talks between the two countries.
The forum, described by organisers as an "unprecedented" gathering of business, government and academic leaders, begins on Friday morning (NZT).
Trade and Defence Minister Phil Goff will attend the forum after meeting with senior members of President George W Bush's administration including Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfield.
Mr Goff said the forum and the talks were an opportunity to reinforce the ties between the two countries, not the differences. He did not expect any immediate progress on a trade deal.
NZ-US Council executive director Stephen Jacobi told National Radio New Zealand had a problem convincing the US of the merits of a trade deal between the two countries.
"One of the reasons for this is that they say we represent a limited economic opportunity. So we are there to show that the opportunity is a lot bigger than they might think."
New Zealand, as a small country, struggled to get on the radar in Washington and the forum would help to lift the profile, he said.
(More ... US-NZ forum not expected to provide trade talks breakthrough - 20 Apr 2006 - National News) ¶ 19:29
A United States-New Zealand partnership forum beginning in Washington tomorrow is not expected to provide a breakthrough and spark trade talks between the two countries.
The forum, described by organisers as an "unprecedented" gathering of business, government and academic leaders, begins on Friday morning (NZT).
Trade and Defence Minister Phil Goff will attend the forum after meeting with senior members of President George W Bush's administration including Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfield.
Mr Goff said the forum and the talks were an opportunity to reinforce the ties between the two countries, not the differences. He did not expect any immediate progress on a trade deal.
NZ-US Council executive director Stephen Jacobi told National Radio New Zealand had a problem convincing the US of the merits of a trade deal between the two countries.
"One of the reasons for this is that they say we represent a limited economic opportunity. So we are there to show that the opportunity is a lot bigger than they might think."
New Zealand, as a small country, struggled to get on the radar in Washington and the forum would help to lift the profile, he said.
(More ... US-NZ forum not expected to provide trade talks breakthrough - 20 Apr 2006 - National News) ¶ 19:29
